Chapter 1174: The White-Pupil True Demon's Death Throes

The black vortex blotted out the sky, and terrifying malevolent energy raged within it; the scene looked as if a colossal demon had been born, attempting to devour this entire world.

Meanwhile, the distant heaven and earth were gradually transforming—mountains and rivers emerged, with sheer peaks rising and rivers rushing.

That was the original scenery of Small Chen Heaven revealing itself.

In midair, Jiang Jiang Qinge's figure finally dissipated the palm-push force from Li Luo. She was stunned for an instant, and the next moment, her figure suddenly shot violently toward the black vortex.

She was actually going to rush headlong into this vortex saturated with terrifying malevolent energy, heedless of everything.

Ning Meng's figure flashed out, and she hurriedly grabbed Jiang Jiang Qinge's arm, urgently saying: "Xiao'e, don't be rash. The malevolent energy inside is too overwhelming—even with your dual Nine Grade Light Phase, you won't be able to withstand it!"

"Let go!" Jiang Jiang Qinge's voice was icy and piercingly cold, and for the first time, a hint of panic appeared in her usually calm golden eyes.

"I won't let go! Calm down! Li Luo still has the power of the spirit beast protecting him right now; even if he fell into that vortex, he can hold on for a while. If you rush in so recklessly, you'll only tie his hands!" Ning Meng hurriedly said. She was also quite speechless—normally it was always Jiang Jiang Qinge who was exceptionally calm, yet now Jiang Jiang Qinge had somewhat lost her composure.

This was the first time she had ever seen Jiang Jiang Qinge lose control like this since knowing her.

At this moment, Feng Lingyuan, Li Hongyou, and the others also swept over. Although there was a trace of worry in their eyes, they still soothed: "Yes, Jiang, calm down a little. Let's see how things stand first."

Held back by everyone, Jiang Jiang Qinge finally stopped. Her gaze fixed dead on the terrifying black vortex as she said: "After a hundred breaths, if Li Luo still hasn't come out, then please don't stop me anymore."

Her voice gradually returned to calm, but the resolve within it made everyone's hearts skip a beat.

Looking at her like this, if they tried to stop her again later, Jiang Jiang Qinge would likely throw caution to the wind.

But this vortex was the death throes of the White-Pupil True Demon, and it even incorporated the power of the damaged "Living Beings Ghost Skin Yu"—such a vortex was already a true death zone. Even a Marquis-level powerhouse entering would be more likely to meet misfortune than good. What could Jiang Jiang Qinge do?

Li Luo falling into it was truly dangerous.

Jiang Jiang Qinge paid no heed to what the others were thinking. Her slender five fingers tightened into a fist, and on Bai Xi's hand, blue veins surfaced—enough to show how turbulent the emotions within her were at this moment.

If one could observe the situation within her body, one would discover that Jiang Jiang Qinge's resplendent Light Heart had already begun to radiate brilliance.

If after a hundred breaths there was still no sign of Li Luo, then she would unhesitatingly ignite the Light Heart and charge into the malevolent vortex to rescue Li Luo from within.

And while Jiang Jiang Qinge was conducting this final countdown, within the malevolent vortex, Li Luo had indeed fallen into a perilous situation.

Wherever his gaze reached, there was only violent malevolent energy, erupting with countless terrifying shrieks and eerie whispers. Under this erosion, even though Li Luo possessed the power of the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf, countless negative emotions kept surging up within him, nearly causing him to lose control and disperse the energy protecting his body.

"Kid, if you don't get out of here soon, we'll both die in this place!" The Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf's anxious voice rang out in Li Luo's mind; it too had sensed the dangerous situation they were in.

Li Luo could no longer spare the energy to answer the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf. He not only had to suppress the surging negative emotions within, but also had to manipulate his phase power to resist the erosion of the terrifying malevolent energy all around.

Moreover, he felt that the depths of the vortex were emitting a terrifying suction force, trying to pull him in bit by bit.

The malevolent energy in the depths of the vortex was even more terrifying; once he fell into it, death would be certain.

But even though Li Luo had already exerted all his strength to resist the vortex's suction, he still felt his body being drawn into it bit by bit.

"Damned Demon Lord of Living Beings!"

Li Luo couldn't help cursing inwardly. If you're going to lose, just lose—take out your anger on that headmaster of Tianyuan Ancient Academy, why target a tiny ant like him?

Li Luo's mind raced, considering what methods might work.

Although the Li Tianwang Token was strange, the last time its Li Tianwang will was triggered, it was because Vice Headmaster Wu Yu was about to strike at him directly. Clearly, ordinary crises couldn't trigger the Li Tianwang Token; that old ancestor Li Li Tianwang didn't bestow the token truly intending to back his juniors in every little thing.

However, just at this moment, from the malevolent vortex behind, a somewhat pale and slender arm suddenly stretched out eerily, and then grabbed Li Luo's arm in one swift motion.

The sudden incident startled Li Luo into a cold sweat. He twisted the Dragon Elephant Blade in his hand, about to slash down reflexively.

But on that pale, slender arm, an eye suddenly opened, and that eye quietly gazed at Li Luo.

Staring at that somewhat familiar eye, Li Luo's heart jolted, and he said in disbelief: "Cousin Li Lingjing?!"

Although the scene before him was somewhat eerie, out of trust in Li Li Lingjing, Li Luo did not bring that blade down.

That slender, pale arm did not utter any words either; it merely held Li Luo's arm and began pulling forcefully toward the outside of the malevolent vortex.

Li Luo felt the intent of this pale arm, and a surge of gratitude welled up within him. Cousin Li Lingjing didn't even know her own situation right now, yet she would still appear at this moment to help him.

And under the desperate pulling of that slender pale arm, Li Luo himself also fully channeled his phase power, resisting the erosion of the malevolent energy, moving step by step toward the outside of the vortex.

This delighted Li Luo—his body finally wasn't continuing to sink in.

There's still hope!

With the help of Li Li Lingjing's arm, Li Luo gradually broke free from the vortex's pull. The surging malevolent energy ahead was already beginning to weaken, and a hint of joy surfaced on Li Luo's still-trembling face.

And upon sensing that Li Luo's own strength was enough to break free from the malevolent vortex's pull, the slender arm gripping Li Luo's hand also showed signs of letting go.

Li Luo quickly grabbed the arm instead, saying hurriedly: "Cousin Li Lingjing, I'll take you out too!"

Although he didn't know exactly what state Li Li Lingjing was in right now, Li Luo didn't mind. He could even take her to find Li Li Jingzhe; for his sake, the old man would surely step in to save her.

But in response to Li Luo's words, that pale, slender arm trembled slightly, then gently waved at him, as if refusing.

Then before Li Luo could do anything, that pale arm began to rapidly dissolve, turning into a wisp of black smoke that merged into the malevolent vortex.

Li Luo stood stunned. He seemed to faintly see, within the violent malevolent energy, a slender figure holding a Green Bamboo Green Snake Staff. She turned around, gave him a slight smile, and then took steps forward, walking of her own accord toward the depths of the malevolent vortex.

The malevolent energy surged, completely swallowing her shadow.

Li Luo's gaze was complex. Cousin Li Lingjing had clearly taken a different path; what that path would look like in the future, he didn't know. He also didn't know what Li Li Lingjing would become, whether she would become eerie and twisted like those "Shagui Cult" members.

But he knew that no matter what, in his heart, she would forever be that once sword-bearing, bright and confident noble lady of Xiling—Li Li Lingjing.

"Cousin Li Lingjing, no matter what the future holds, as long as you're in trouble, I'm willing to help you with anything." Li Luo said softly.

Then he no longer hesitated. All the phase power within him erupted, resisting the surging malevolent energy, and his figure transformed into a streak of light that whistled out.

After just a few breaths, the malevolent energy grew increasingly thin, and his figure burst out from within.

The vast, ethereal heaven and earth appeared in his vision, and then Li Luo immediately spotted Jiang Jiang Qinge not far away, with a terrifying energy faintly surging within her body. He was instantly scared out of his wits and hurriedly shouted: "Qing'e-Zhong Jie, don't rush, don't rush! I'm here!"

Looking at her like this, Jiang Jiang Qinge was clearly already in a state of igniting the Light Heart. If he had been any later, she would have staged yet another self-detonation on the level of "family annihilation."

Not far away, the energy fluctuations surging around Jiang Jiang Qinge suddenly stalled. She gazed at Li Luo bursting out of the malevolent vortex, and a burst of joy instantly erupted in her eyes.

Then her figure darted out and collided with Li Luo.

Li Luo hurriedly reached out and held that slender waist, but immediately after, he heard an icy, bone-piercing voice by his ear: "Li Luo, if you dare to take matters into your own hands and push me away again next time, I absolutely won't let you off lightly!"

Li Luo immediately smiled sheepishly. He turned his head and saw that Jiang Jiang Qinge's eye rims were slightly reddened—a sight exceedingly rare on her.

Clearly, the scene of him being swallowed by the malevolent vortex earlier had truly brought Jiang Jiang Qinge immense terror.

She was afraid that Li Luo would truly never return.

A softness welled up in Li Luo's heart. The arm around Jiang Qing'e's waist tightened slowly, pulling her into his embrace, and he whispered an apology: "I'm sorry."

Li Luo wanted to say more comforting words, but the power within his body began to recede rapidly at this moment, and as the power of the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf departed, an indescribable weakness instantly spread from every part of his body like seaweed.

Li Luo's complexion instantly turned pale; even the strength in the arm holding Jiang Qing'e's waist was gone. This was not only the aftereffect of borrowing the Five-Tailed Heavenly Wolf's power, but also the result of repeatedly converting his resonant power earlier, which had caused a massive loss of his essence blood.

"Li Luo?"

Jiang Qing'e also noticed that something was wrong with Li Luo's condition. She hurriedly used her body to support him, and her worried voice came through.

Li Luo could no longer answer. His eyelids gradually grew heavy, and the view before him began to sink into darkness.

In the final instant as the darkness spread, Li Luo saw Li Hongyou hurrying over, then she directly cut open her wrist and stuffed the bleeding wrist into his mouth.